Schools play a crucial role in the life of children. They give them the education and opportunities they need to thrive in life and be successful in their careers.
Students also learn how to take responsibility for their actions while in school – whether it’s finishing assignments on time or taking part in group projects. These are skills they will carry with them throughout their lives.
1. Education
Education helps children to acquire the proper mindset required to face the world and its challenges. It also helps them to assess their life objectives and achieve personal ambitions.
It teaches kids about various cultures and beliefs around the globe. It also provides students with the opportunity to interact with people from foreign settings and develop the skills necessary for intercultural communication.
Schools are one of the primary vehicles by which communities transmit their values to future generations. They promote a culture’s tolerance of diversity, which is essential in a globalized world.
They also provide a way for communities to work together to address common issues. For example, communities that value schooling for both genders tend to have lower rates of domestic and gender-based violence. Additionally, a country’s ability to compete economically depends on its educational achievement. Unfortunately, poverty is a huge barrier to learning and keeps millions of children from receiving the schooling they need.
2. Socialization
Unlike home environments where kids learn how to socialize through observing their parents handling different situations and emotions, school settings introduce many new structural features which a child has to get used to. For example, in a classroom setting one teacher is expected to cater to the needs of a large group of students all at once and this requires them to learn how to behave around each other.
Moreover, the solitary nature of school life can leave children exposed to various external threats which can affect their mental well-being. These include stress, anxiety, fear and alienation etc which can lead to behavior problems in kids. Hence, it’s important for students to learn how to socialize in order to reduce these behavioral issues and lead a happy and fulfilling life.
Researchers are working towards gaining a better understanding of how schools influence socialization. Longitudinal designs and an increase in consideration of mediators and moderators are critical.
3. Collaboration
Teachers need time to collaborate together to work out instructional strategies and share ideas. But scheduling this collaborative time is often a challenge because of “too much to do” or “not enough time.” This is where a school’s leadership can play a role in removing obstacles.
A key to successful collaboration is building a sense of community among the teachers who are involved. The way to do this is by getting to know each other, sharing common passions, and taking time to connect with colleagues on a personal level. Establishing group commitments to respect each other and look past any perceived eccentricities also helps.
Similarly, students need a community of learners to support and encourage them in their collaborative learning activities. One way to build this community is by establishing age-appropriate norms for the collaborative groups. This can include things like deciding on team responsibilities such as a recorder, spokesperson, or facilitator. It can also include creating shared agreements such as “one person talks at a time” or “no put downs.” These group norms help foster a culture of collaboration.
4. Personal Responsibility
Personal responsibility is one of the most critical lessons students can learn in school. Research shows that students who are more responsible tend to have better grades. This is probably because they are more motivated to study and work hard. They also have a positive outlook on life which leads to more success.
However, schools often shy away from teaching the importance of personal accountability. This is probably because of the fear that they may hurt students’ self-esteem. Many do-gooders, including teachers and parents, believe in raising children’s self-esteem as much as possible. Unfortunately, high self-esteem without real accomplishment can actually be an impediment to learning.
It is a teacher’s responsibility to teach his or her students how to be responsible. This is especially important for those who are going to college or entering the workforce. The ability to take on challenges and overcome them is a skill that will serve these students well throughout their lives.